Business Administration is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Business Administration
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
Management
Career Areas
- Areas and job titles will vary by industry. Here are some examples:
Employers
- Banks and financial institutions
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Service providers
- Healthcare organizations
- Manufacturers
- Industrial organizations
- Local, state, and federal government
- Nonprofit organizations
- Self-employed
General Information
- Business Administration vs. Business Management: What’s the Difference?
- Prepare to start in entry-level management trainee positions. Demonstrate initiative and leadership to get promoted.
- Gain experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
- Work at a retail store or restaurant; advance into an assistant manager position.
- Get involved in student organizations and assume leadership roles.
- Demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, a strong work ethic, integrity, and a sense of independence.
- Take courses in a secondary specialty such as marketing or information systems to increase job opportunities.
- Learn to work well on a team and develop strong communication skills.
Sales
Career Areas
- Credit Counselor
- Financial Services Sales Agent
- Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents
- Advertising Sales Agent
Employers
- For-profit and nonprofit organizations
- Product and service organizations
- Manufacturers
- Financial companies
- Insurance companies
- Print and electronic media outlets
- Software and technology companies
- Internet companies
General Information
- Business Administration vs. Business Management: What’s the Difference?
- Obtain experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
- Seek leadership positions in campus organizations.
- Work for the campus newspaper, directory, or radio station selling advertisements.
- Become highly motivated and well-organized.
- Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. To deliver effective customer service, develop problem-solving skills, self-confidence, assertiveness, and empathy.
- Learn to work well under pressure and to be comfortable in a competitive environment.
- Prepare to work independently and to be self-motivated. Plan to work irregular and/or long hours.
- Learn to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. Take additional courses in interpersonal communication and public speaking.
- Develop strong persuasion skills and learn how to build relationships.
- Some positions in sales, such as pharmaceuticals, require at least one to two years of a proven record in outside sales. Be prepared to start in a different industry before getting a job in pharmaceuticals.
Insurance
Career Areas
- Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners and Investigators
- Financial Services Sales Agent
- Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents
- Insurance Sales Agents
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
Employers
- Insurance firms
- Banks
General Information
- Complete an internship with an insurance agency.
- Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more about claims, underwriting, and risk management. Many entry-level positions exist in these areas.
- Initiative and sales ability are necessary to be a successful agent or broker.
- Develop strong communication skills as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely.
Banking
Career Areas
Employers
- Banks
- Credit unions
- Savings and loan associations
- Financial services institutions
- Federal Reserve banks
General Information
- 17 Career Paths in Banking (Plus Tips for Choosing)
- Develop a solid background in business including marketing and accounting.
- Get experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions in a bank.
- Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele.
Real Estate
Career Areas
Employers
- Real estate brokers
- Banks
- Appraisal firms
- Apartment and condominium complexes
- Developers
- Large corporations: real estate departments
General Information
- Real Estate Broker vs. Salesperson: Which Career Is Right for You?
- Learn About Being a Real Estate Agent
- Obtain sales experience through part-time, summer, or internship positions.
- Research the process of becoming a real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors.
- Develop an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Investigate apprenticeships in appraisal.
Human Resource Management
Career Areas
- Human Resources Specialist
- Training and Development Specialist
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Employment Law
- Consulting
Employers
- Large corporate entities
- Service industry
- Hospitals and healthcare organizations
- Universities
- Temporary or staffing agencies
- Executive search firms
- Local, state, and federal government
- Labor unions
General Information
- Business Administration vs. Human Resources: What's the Difference?
- Take courses in the social sciences such as psychology and sociology.
- Gain relevant experience through internships.
- Develop strong verbal and written communication skills. Learn to solve problems creatively, and gain experience with conflict resolution.
- Build a solid background in technology because many human resource systems are automated.
- Join the Society of Human Resource Management and other related professional associations.
- Be prepared for continuous learning once in the profession.
- Seek endorsements such as the Professional Human Resource Certification (PHR).
- Earn a master’s degree for career advancement or a law degree for employment law.
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- General business is a broad area that can lead to many career opportunities. Students should clearly define their goals and seek experiences and skills necessary to reach those goals.
- Learn about various fields of business through research on internet sites and books, informational interviews of professionals, and exposure to work environments through shadowing, volunteering, or interning.
- Develop interpersonal and organizational skills through participation in and leadership of student organizations.
- Strong communication skills, including public speaking, are also important to achieving success in this field.
- Learn to work effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well in a team environment.
- Develop and utilize a personal network of contacts. Once in a position, find an experienced mentor.
- Consider earning an MBA or other related graduate degree after gaining work experience to reach the highest levels of business management.
- Take courses in a secondary specialty such as marketing or information systems to increase job opportunities.
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